Frances Anne Kemble

Eastern Sunset - Poem by Frances Anne Kemble

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'Tis only the nightingale's warbled strain,That floats through the evening sky:With his note of love, he replies again,To the muezzin's holy cry;As it sweetly sounds on the rosy air,'Allah il allah! come to prayer!'Warm o'er the waters the red sun is glowing,'Tis the last parting glance of his splendour and might,While each rippling wave on the bright shore is throwingIts white crest, that breaks into showers of light.Each distant mosque and minaretIs shining in the setting sun,Whose farewell look is brighter yet,Than that with which its course begun.On the dark blue mountains his smile is bright,It glows on the orange grove's waving height,And breaks through its shade in long lines of light.No sound on the earth, and no sound in the sky,Save murmuring fountains that sparkle nigh,And the rustling flight of the evening breeze,Who steals from his nest in the orange trees,And a thousand dewy odours flings,As he shakes their white buds from his gossamer wings,And flutters away through the spicy air,At sound of a footstep drawing near.